Laurentum Prize for the Arts, from Alberto Angela to Renato Brunetta who are the winners

The awards ceremony, hosted by Clelia Patella and Giordano Fatali, was held in the Sala della Lupa of the Chamber of Deputies, in Palazzo Montecitorio. Parterre of honor at the ceremony, in addition to the award winners present, the president of the Chamber Lorenzo Fontana, the general director of Rai and director of the Award Roberto Sergio, president of the jury Gianni Letta, the managing director of Adnkronos Angela Antonini Marra and the president of the Culture Commission of the Chamber Federico Mollicone.

This year the event takes on a new name, which reflects the desire to embrace the entire spectrum of contemporary arts and thought. Always oriented towards the diffusion of culture as a shared good, the Laurentum renews its mission to bring the public closer to creativity in its highest and most significant forms. The initiative thus continues to establish itself as a point of reference in the Italian cultural panorama, valorising personalities who with their commitment contribute in an authentic way to the intellectual and civil growth of the country.

“It is an event that enhances creativity and recognizes poetry as an important tool for personal and social growth”, declared the president of the Chamber, Lorenzo Fontana, opening the ceremony. “Italian poetry has never been just a literary exercise: it has accompanied the evolution of the country, uniting generations, territories and languages”. In a context often dominated by the speed and fragmentation of communication, Fontana underlined the importance of “spaces in which words are not consumed, but chosen, meditated and shared”, reiterating the value of poetry as a tool capable of restoring depth to the gaze and dignity to the language.

The ceremony, as per tradition, saw the attribution of the main Laurentum awards in the presence of the Jury, chaired by Gianni Letta, and composed of Angelo Bucarelli, Corrado Calabrò, Luca di Bartolomeo, Simona Izzo, Paolo Lagazzi, Davide Rondoni and Roberto Sergio, director of the Award. “The Laurentum Prize confirms itself as a central event for the cultural life of the country”, observes Roberto Sergio, who adds: “Every year we recognize the value of personalities who, with intelligence and dedication, contribute to the enrichment of our cultural heritage”. The Laurentum Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Renato Brunetta, a leading figure on the Italian institutional and academic scene. “Those who engage in politics, those who give pieces of themselves to others to change things, are also a bit of a poet”, he said in accepting the award.

Among the winners, the journalist, author and presenter Corrado Augias was also awarded the Laurentum Prize ‘The Values ​​of Culture’, for his fundamental contribution to the dissemination of knowledge and cultural dialogue. “Awarding this recognition to Corrado Augias means valuing an intellectual work that for decades has helped the public understand the complexity of our time,” declared Giovanni Tarquini, president of the Laurentum Cultural Center. The value of the presenter and scientific communicator Alberto Angela was also recognised, who was awarded the Laurentum Award ‘Excellence in Scientific Dissemination’. “Culture remains when you have lost everything: it is what guides you even in difficulties,” he declared. Among the awardees also the CEO of Kering Luca de Meo, who received the Laurentum Award – Italian Excellence in the World (Industry). “I asked myself the reason for this award: I am not a poet. Then I rationalised: there is a contact between luxury and culture. Have you asked yourself why Italy is a capital of luxury? Luxury resides in the depths of our culture, it is not just an aesthetic question”, said de Meo from the stage.

For Solidarity Commitment and Vision, the award was given to the Director of the Telethon Foundation Francesca Pasinelli, for her contribution to scientific research and social innovation. “I asked myself what I was doing here. Now I understand: there is nothing more poetic than a child being born a second time thanks to care,” she said. In the literary field, the Laurentum Prize for Poetry was awarded to the poet Paolo Ruffilli, while the Dante Alighieri Prize – XV edition was awarded to the poet Mary de Rachewiltz, daughter of Ezra Pound. The Laurentum–Siae ‘Young Talents’ Award – 2nd edition was awarded to Marco Amore. “Supporting young talents means investing in the creative vitality of the country”, declared Salvo Nastasi, president of Siae.

The director of Adnkronos Davide Maria Desario was awarded the Laurentum Prize for ‘Communication and Journalistic Innovation’, for his contribution to the development of responsible and future-oriented information. “When I arrived at Adnkronos I found a propensity to think about the future and technology, which is changing our present and future. We cannot stop the technological revolution: what we can do is ride it by accepting the challenge, without ever forgetting the sources and the people”, he said in accepting the recognition.

The ceremony concluded with the Laurentum Special Prize – ‘Save the Cultural Heritage’, in collaboration with ArtCloud Network International, awarded to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, represented by Shamil Azizov, assistant to the executive director. “The Foundation is among the most active entities in safeguarding cultural heritage and intercultural dialogue”, declared Fabrizio Conti, creative director of ArtCloud Network International. The Laurentum Prize – created with the collaboration of Wellmakers Bnp Paribas and Adnkronos as media partner – confirms its centrality again this year thanks to the institutional support received over time, including the medals of the President of the Republic, the President of the Senate and the President of the Chamber, and the patronage of numerous national and cultural institutions.